Sky Bet League Two betting preview

2 April 2015

AFC Wimbledon v Northampton Town

There’s a mid-table clash at Kingsmeadow on Good Friday as AFC Wimbledon (17/10) play host to Northampton (6/4). Town have won five of the seven previous games these two sides have fought out, emerging victors when they met earlier in the season, and a repeat 2-0 success can be backed at 10/1 with the Sky Bet League 2 sponsors. The other two matches have ended in a draw and it's 11/5 for this one to end all-square, although it's worth pointing out the visitors have only drawn five games all season. A cagey game is expected, with under 2.5 goals available at 8/13, and that looks a solid selection, but backing no goals to be scored before the break offers more value at 13/8.

Top Tip: No goals in first half at 13/8

Cambridge United v Bury

Fourth-placed Bury still have a game in hand on the sides above them in Sky Bet League 2 and will be looking to put pressure on those in the automatic promotion places with a win at Cambridge on Good Friday. David Flitcroft's men are the form team in the division with five wins and one defeat in their last six and they're 13/10 for victory here and evens to win promotion to League 1. Five of Bury's last six victories have come without conceding and the Shakers can be backed at 11/4 to win this one to nil. Cambridge haven't been quite so hot of late, losing three and drawing three of their last six, and Richard Money's U's are 19/10 to bounce back with a win, while it's 9/4 for the draw. Such has been Bury's efficiency in recent weeks, backing them to prevail with under 2.5 goals to be scored in the match at 7/2 looks the way to go.

Top Tip: Bury to win and under 2.5 goals at 7/2

Carlisle United v Portsmouth

It's been a long, hard season for Carlisle but a win and a couple of draws in their last four games sees them three points clear of the relegation zone going into the latest round of matches. That's encouraging form from Keith Curle's side given they've lost 22 games this season and they can be backed at 17/10 to pick up all three points here. Visitors Portsmouth, marginally favoured by Sky Bet at 6/4, have only won one in their last six and were beaten 2-0 by Shrewsbury at home last weekend. Barring a 6-2 win at Cambridge back in February, Pompey have found goals very hard to come by on their travels and 2/1 against a home clean sheet is tempting. A better route to take may be backing the hosts to prevail 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 at a combined price of 5/2.

Top Tip: Carlisle to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 at 5/2

Luton Town v Exeter City

Luton’s wretched run of seven defeats on the bounce has come as a hammer blow to their promotion hopes, but they’re only two points outside of the play-off places and are 21/20 favourites with Sky Bet to pick up all three points against Exeter (13/5) on Good Friday. The draw is considered a 23/10 chance by the Football League sponsors, with 1-1 the most popular pick in the correct score market at 9/2. Exeter would go level on points with the Hatters with a win and their recent form has been good. The Grecians are unbeaten in six, winning three in that sequence, two of which came on the road. Paul Tisdale’s men are 16/1 to make a late charge and finish in the play-offs, with Luton 5/4 chances to get back up into the top seven and 8/1 to gain promotion by any means.

Top Tip: A 1-1 draw at 9/2

Morecambe v Accrington Stanley

Morecambe go into Saturday’s clash with Accrington as 13/10 market leaders with League 2 sponsors Sky Bet and they’ll be looking to recapture the winning thread after a frustrating run of two defeats and two draws since claiming a thrilling 3-2 victory against Luton at the start of March. The Shrimps have registered back-to-back 1-1 away draws recently and its 5/1 this game goes exactly the same way, with the draw 12/5 in the result market. The visitors haven’t tasted success since the end of February but they won the corresponding fixture back in October and are 2/1 to complete the season double over Morecambe. Stanley don’t draw many games, just twice picking up a point away from home all season, and everything points to a tight game. Both teams to score looks short enough at 10/11 and both not to find the net makes far greater appeal at 4/5.

Top Tip: Both teams to score – no at 4/5

Newport County v Hartlepool United

Sixth-placed Newport are odds-on favourites (10/11) to see off relegation-threatened Hartlepool at Rodney Parade. County have got back on track in consolidating their play-off place with two wins and a draw in their last three outings, but it’s worth remembering they’ve only won one of their last six games in front of their own fans. Hartlepool, chalked up at 16/5 for victory, sit just one point and one place above the dreaded drop-zone going into the weekend but their recent form of four wins in their last sixth is enough to put them seventh in the ‘form table’. Pools claimed a draw with Newport in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season and that outcome is 9/4 on Saturday, though the home side could be in trouble if the visitors build on last weekend’s victory over Accrington.

Top Tip: Newport to be winning at half-time at 13/8

Plymouth Argyle v Burton Albion

Sky Bet League 2 leaders Burton look to keep their place at the top of the table by avoiding defeat at Plymouth on Good Friday. The Brewers sit three points clear of both Shrewsbury and Wycombe at the summit and can be backed at 19/10 for three points in Devon. Hosts Plymouth are the 6/4 favourites for the win and the draw can be found at 21/10. The Brewers are unbeaten in five matches but a 1-1 draw at home to Stevenage on Monday night ended a four-game winning run. Plymouth won 3-0 at Cheltenham in their last outing with Reuben Reid bagging a couple of goals. Reid is the 9/2 favourite in the first goalscorer betting and Burton’s Stuart Beavon can be backed at 11/2.

Top Tip: Reuben Reid to score first at 9/2

Shrewsbury Town v Dagenham and Redbridge

Shrewsbury are the 2/5 favourites to consolidate their place in the Sky Bet League 2 automatic promotion places with victory at home to Dagenham on Good Friday. The Shrews sit second in the standings and have a seven-point advantage over Bury, who are leading the chase from outside the top three. Dagenham are the outsiders at 15/2 for a surprise win and the draw can be backed at 100/30. The Shrews are looking for a fourth win on the spin but the Daggers are in decent form of their own with four victories from their last six games. Liam Lawrence scored twice in Shrewsbury’s previous home game and he’s a tempting 16/1 for another double.

Top Tip: Liam Lawrence to score twice at 16/1

Southend United v Mansfield Town

Southend have been priced up as the odds-on favourites at 8/13 by Sky Bet for three points at home to Mansfield on Good Friday. The Shrimpers sit comfortably inside the play-off places but time is running out to mount a charge for automatic promotion. Mansfield have a seven-point gap to the relegation zone and are 5/1 to boost their survival bid with three points on the road. The draw has been made a 13/5 shot. Southend have only won one of their last five matches and the Stags have the same recent record. Shrimpers striker Barry Corr is the 4/1 favourite in the first goalscorer betting and the top Mansfield contender is Vadaine Oliver at 8/1.

Top Tip: Barry Corr and Vadaine Oliver both to score at 15/2

Stevenage v Tranmere Rovers

Second-bottom Tranmere are the 14/5 outsiders for three points at Stevenage on Good Friday to boost their survival bid. Rovers have slipped into the relegation zone after a run of just one win in eight matches but that victory came in their last away game at Cambridge. Play-off chasers Stevenage are the odds-on favourites at 10/11 for the win and the draw can be supported at 13/5. Stevenage have drawn three of their last four matches and two of those games finished 1-1. That scoreline can be backed at 5/1 for this contest.

Top Tip: A 1-1 draw at 5/1

Wycombe Wanderers v Oxford United

Wycombe are the odds-on favourites at 17/20 to boost their bid for automatic promotion with victory at home to rivals Oxford on Good Friday. The third-placed Chairboys have a seven-point advantage over Bury in fourth but the Shakers do have a game in hand. Oxford are the 3/1 outsiders for the win and the draw can be found at 13/5. Wycombe are unbeaten in eight matches but have only won one of their last six home outings. Oxford have won two, drawn two and lost two of their previous six matches so inconsistency is definitely the name of the game from the U’s.

Top Tip: The draw at 13/5

York City v Cheltenham Town

Gary Johnson takes charge of bottom-of-the-table Cheltenham for the first time on Good Friday as they travel north to face fellow strugglers York. The Robins have been made the 3/1 outsiders for the three points with York priced up as the 10/11 favourites. The draw is on offer at 12/5. York won 4-1 at Mansfield last time out and that made it two matches in a row for the Minstermen containing over 3.5 goals. Cheltenham’s last away match finished 2-2 at Plymouth and you can get 3/1 for over 3.5 goals in this clash.

Top Tip: Over 3.5 goals at 3/1

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